Starke
County will utilize a new
vendor for railroad crossing inspections in the Industrial Park.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive
Director Larry Wickert said the vendor who had been doing the inspections sent
a contract cancellation notice. In his
research, Wickert found the company Millenium whose employees can do the work
at a less expensive rate. The contract
would include monthly railroad crossing inspections and response to
emergencies.

The contract amount is $6,000. Wickert stressed that the funding of this
contract comes solely from the revenue generated by the three companies who
utilize the rail in the industrial park.
The companies pay $51 per car.
Those funds are deposited into a county account to pay for the
inspection contract and other maintenance.

With the blessing of County Attorney Marty Lucas who
reviewed the paperwork, the commissioners approved the contract as presented
with a unanimous vote.

Wickert plans to return to visit with the commissioners on
Monday, March 18 to discuss the rate charged for rail cars that access the rail
lines in the Industrial Park. Wickert
noted that long-term cost estimates reveal a more appropriate charge per rail
car. He’ll present more information at
that meeting.